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Upbeat local music on tap for ‘Celebrate America’

Though 2014 will be the first year Crooked Shooz plays as the headlining band for the city's free “Celebrate America” event at Tom Brown Park, front man Mark Blair has been a part of Tallahassee's music scene for more than two and a half decades.

Upbeat local music on tap for ‘Celebrate America’

Though 2014 will be the first year Crooked Shooz plays as the headlining band for the city's free “Celebrate America” event at Tom Brown Park, front man Mark Blair has been a part of Tallahassee's music scene for more than two and a half decades.

Born in Cuba and raised in Honolulu, Blair first came to the capital city in 1991 to play drums for Bill Wharton, the Sauce Boss. They toured all over—in France and in the U.S.—but Tallahassee is the place Blair chose to make his home.

“I love being a part of this music scene,” he said. “It’s been good to me.”

Crooked Shooz played its first gig at Bullwinkle’s in 1994. Shortly after, it was hired as the house band for the Silver Slipper, where it played regularly for 12 years straight.

Though Blair has played with the Shooz the longest, keyboardist Robert “The Doctor” Wilson and drummer Dehryl “Bubba” McCall have each played 18 years with the band.

Blair opines that there are several reasons Shooz has done so well around here for so long. For one, they offer variety. Sets might include anything from Motown, jazz and disco, to popular R&B songs and soul ballads.

“We’re high energy,” Blair said, noting that people in Tallahassee like to dance. “We dance, laugh, and entertain.”

Blair was quick to point out the other musicians who have supported and influenced him – Tom and the Cats, ACME Rhythm and Blues, Mr. Perfect, Pure Platinum.

“We’re all close friends and we support each other in what we do,” he said. “We pass gigs on and don’t ask for anything in return.”

Blair also mentioned Mike Lanigan as a part of this camaraderie. Lanigan’s band, Swingin’ Harpoon, has opened several times for the Fourth of July festival at Tom Brown. This year it will play the main stage as the penultimate act at 7:10 p.m.

“Mike Lanigan is probably the hardest working man on the scene,” Blair said.

Lanigan described playing at Tom Brown for the Fourth as “a great honor—it might be the biggest event for the community, as far as music goes.”

Lanigan describes his band’s music as “Cab Calloway meets Muddy Waters,” with a set that includes originals and selections from more than 50 obscure covers.

Before Swingin’ Harpoon, the Kenny Hill Band will kick off main stage performances at 6 p.m.. Crooked Shooz will entertain at 8:30 p.m..

Another local talent, Allie McKay, will perform the national anthem at 9:45 p.m., followed, of course, by fireworks.

Over the past 30 years, the festival has booked performers from all over, with regional favorites such as the Royce Lovett Band and others representing the national music scene, including Tim McGraw. Even so, the fact that this year’s lineup is comprised entirely of local legends is no accident.

“It is always great when we have the opportunity to showcase our wonderfully diverse local talent,” said Mario Palmentieri, supervisor for the event. “We always attempt to provide a lineup that we hope will entertain the largest cross-section of festival participants.”

The schedule for this year’s festival includes two entertainment stages, which Palmentieri notes will “increase the opportunity to provide a variety of acts.”

The main stage opens at 5:30 p.m. and the showmobile acts start at 5 p.m. The festival will also include a naturalization ceremony, which begins at 6:40 p.m. on the main stage. Fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m.

Be sure to check out the kids’ area, which will offer supervised games, arts and crafts, and three water-based inflatable units. Parents of participating children should remember to bring towels, bathing suits and a change of clothes. Everyone should remember to bring sunscreen.

General information

Food will be available to purchase from 13 vendors and food trucks.

Parking is limited at Tom Brown. All festival attendees need to enter the park from Capital Circle and Easterwood Drive. Onsite festival parking concludes at 8:30 p.m. or whenever the parking areas are filled.

Shuttle bus service is provided from the Koger Center off Capital Circle (south of Old St. Augustine). The shuttle runs from 5:30 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m. to Tom Brown Park; shuttle service back to the Koger Center resumes at the completion of the fireworks display at approximately 10 p.m.

Only service animals are allowed on the shuttles and in the park on July Fourth. The dog park is closed at sunset on July 3 and reopens on July 5.

No pets, fireworks, sparklers or outside alcohol are allowed in the park. Coolers are subject to search and confiscation. A public beer garden will be open for revelers 21 and older.